Working as a train driver for Transport for Wales

[Arvi]

Hi All

Just wondering what is the work environment and job satisfaction working for Transport for Wales as a Train driver?

I am awaiting the next stage of the recruitment process which has been delayed by the pandemic.
So i thought i might ask for some honest inputs from the people already there.

Personally i rate job satisfaction and a friendly work setting the biggest motivator to work for an organization. Everything else is secondary

All genuine input will be highly appreciated.

Thanks in advanc
Arvi

 

[Watershed]

Which depot are you applying for? This will have a significant influence on the sort of trains you work and what the colleagues are like.

From your location of Birmingham I am guessing Shrewsbury or Crewe?

 

[Arvi]

Correct
It is Shrewsburry

 

[jag]

Morning , what are the shift patterns as a driver and trainee at Shrewsbury ?

 

[craigybagel]

Morning , what are the shift patterns as a driver and trainee at Shrewsbury ?

Earliest start around 4am, latest finish a little after 1, plus there's a night turn (which mostly consists of shunting and prepping units around the station and Foregate sidings). Pretty standard, a little more gentle then at other North TfW depots.

There is only one link (roster) at present so all drivers do the same work and cover the same shifts. As a trainee, the first part of your training would be in the classroom (most likely in Chester) on a roughly 9-5 basis. You would then do traction training which is a mixture of classroom and onboard, which is again 9-5. Finally, you do the 265 hours of manual handling with an instructor, for which you'd follow your instructors roster as mentioned above.

 

[Arvi]

Shrewsbury is a nice depot, like all depots some varied characters work there. That's like any workplace, as a driver you don't actually interact with colleagues anything like in an office environment.
The commutte can be a pain depending on the time of day, but the workload at Shrewsbury is nice & easy compared with other local bigger depots.

Hi Wobman
Sorry for being late to get back to you
More importantly thank you for taking the time to respond to my querry.
Your feedback goes a long way in shading some light on the unknown for me.
Trust me it has gone a long way in settling my mind.

Cheers buddy

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Mar 2021 ==

Earliest start around 4am, latest finish a little after 1, plus there's a night turn (which mostly consists of shunting and prepping units around the station and Foregate sidings). Pretty standard, a little more gentle then at other North TfW depots.

There is only one link (roster) at present so all drivers do the same work and cover the same shifts. As a trainee, the first part of your training would be in the classroom (most likely in Chester) on a roughly 9-5 basis. You would then do traction training which is a mixture of classroom and onboard, which is again 9-5. Finally, you do the 265 hours of manual handling with an instructor, for which you'd follow your instructors roster as mentioned above.

Thank you so much for your clear and concise feedback

 

[jag]

Earliest start around 4am, latest finish a little after 1, plus there's a night turn (which mostly consists of shunting and prepping units around the station and Foregate sidings). Pretty standard, a little more gentle then at other North TfW depots.

There is only one link (roster) at present so all drivers do the same work and cover the same shifts. As a trainee, the first part of your training would be in the classroom (most likely in Chester) on a roughly 9-5 basis. You would then do traction training which is a mixture of classroom and onboard, which is again 9-5. Finally, you do the 265 hours of manual handling with an instructor, for which you'd follow your instructors roster as mentioned above.

Thanks alot for taking the time out to respond with detail . Much appreciated

 

[TuftyM]

Best thing about Shrewsbury is the tuck shop. Well done to the volunteers who do it.

 

[Arvi]

No problems if it helps your decision, you won't regret taking the job as a train driver m8. All jobs have the good & bad sides, but the good outweigh any bad sides to the job by a long way.

Just be prepared to absorb huge amounts of new knowledge & most of it doesn't make any logical Sence until you get out with your instructor. Then the penny drops whilst you do your hours.
Then all of a sudden your out by yourself & wonder how did I get here.....

I do appreciate that at the end of the day one needs to have the perseverance, commitment and desire to enjoy the work

But you have put it in the best possible way

Much appreciated

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Mar 2021 ==

Best thing about Shrewsbury is the tuck shop. Well done to the volunteers who do it.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Mar 2021 ==

Best thing about Shrewsbury is the tuck shop. Well done to the volunteers who do it.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Mar 2021 ==

I do appreciate that at the end of the day one needs to have the perseverance, commitment and desire to enjoy the work

But you have put it in the best possible way

Much appreciated

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Mar 2021 ==



== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Mar 2021 ==

Just wondering

What is a tuck shop??

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

A food shop with snacks and drinks, could this refer to the one at Shrewsbury School?

 

[craigybagel]

In Shrewsbury messroom there is a tuck shop run by a few members of traincrew based there. It's been a wonderful success story, very popular with traincrew both based there and merely passing through on their break, and literally thousands of pounds worth of profits have been donated to charity.

 

[glasgowceltic1]

This is great information, I'm awaiting my start date for Shrewsbury so good to hear its a nice depot.

What sort of shift pattern is it? I currently work a 4 on, 4 off which I'm told is usually more common on the railways.

 

[glasgowceltic1]

That's great, thanks for the information.

 

[Arvi]

In Shrewsbury messroom there is a tuck shop run by a few members of traincrew based there. It's been a wonderful success story, very popular with traincrew both based there and merely passing through on their break, and literally thousands of pounds worth of profits have been donated to charity.

aah!!!!
Exactly what I mean
Just love that sense of companionship

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Mar 2021 ==

Just wondering
1. If the training is in say Chester and one lives quite a distance from Chester then do TfW compensate for the travelling expense or is one left to ones own devices?

2. Also does the Employment contract commence on 1st day of training or only on completion of training?

Thanks in advance

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Mar 2021 ==

Hi Wobman
Sorry for being late to get back to you
More importantly thank you for taking the time to respond to my querry.
Your feedback goes a long way in shading some light on the unknown for me.
Trust me it has gone a long way in settling my mind.

Cheers buddy

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Mar 2021 ==


Thank you so much for your clear and concise feedback

This is cracking stuff
You are the Top Banana!!!

 

[craigybagel]

Just wondering
1. If the training is in say Chester and one lives quite a distance from Chester then do TfW compensate for the travelling expense or is one left to ones own devices?

You get issued complementary tickets from the station you are based at to the place where your training takes place. This covers you until you get your company ID issued, which you can use for travel afterwards.

If the training centre is too far away from your home depot for a reasonable commute (for example, if you're based in the North but your course is taking place in Cardiff) you are also provided with a hotel room.

2. Also does the Employment contract commence on 1st day of training or only on completion of training?

Your contract starts on your first day of training. You will be on training salary from that day until the day you drive a train by yourself for the first time productively. At that point, you go onto 90% of the full drivers salary, and after a further 2 years you go to the full 100%.

 

[Arvi]

You get issued complementary tickets from the station you are based at to the place where your training takes place. This covers you until you get your company ID issued, which you can use for travel afterwards.

If the training centre is too far away from your home depot for a reasonable commute (for example, if you're based in the North but your course is taking place in Cardiff) you are also provided with a hotel room.

Your contract starts on your first day of training. You will be on training salary from that day until the day you drive a train by yourself for the first time productively. At that point, you go onto 90% of the full drivers salary, and after a further 2 years you go to the full 100%.

Thank you so much for your clear and succinct response My Man
Much appreciated